Coin-controlled dice-thrower



(No Modl.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C. C. GLAWSON.

G01N GONTRULLED DICE THROWBR.

Patented Deo. 20, 1892.

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H m 4W/ THE NORWS PETERS C0. PNOTOAJTHO.. WASHXNGTON, Dl C.

(No Model.) `2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0.40. oLAWs-QN. GOIN GONTROLLED DICE` THRUWER.

No. 488.328, Patented-Deo'. 20, 1892'.

Qu if5 Unrrnn Srn'rns Parana* @erica CLEMENT COLERIDGE OLAVSON, OFNEWARK, NEI/V JERSEY.

`COIN-CONTROLLED DICEMTHROWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,328, dated December20,189.2.

Application filed August 16, 1890. Serial No. 362,176. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLEMENT COLERIDGE CLAWSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automaticand Coin-Controlled Dice-Throwers, of which the following specificationis a full, clear,and exact description.

This invention relates more particularly to a dice shaker and throwerwhich is operated by a motor or clockwork and is controlled by theintroduction of coins or tokens; but the several improvementsconstituting the same are included for all the uses to which they mayseverally be adapted.

It consists in a dice box provided with a table or tray which receivesthe dice when these are thrown, and which is afterward appliedautomatically to the box to return the dice into the same, to be againbrought into position to receive the dice when these are thrown again.This new or improved dice box with an automatic dice receiving andreturning tray, is included generally in the inl vention and may be madein various ways.

It is or may be connected witha motor of any suitable description,operated by a weight,

spring or other power, but preferably a clock Work, in such a way thatthe operation of said motor places the dice in the box by applying thetray to the mouth thereof, and afterward discharges them onto the tray(or discharges and then returns the dice) imparting during the operationan appropriate movement to shift the position of the dice. The motor orclockwork, is combined with a coin controlling mechanism therefor. Theinvention, however, extends to the combination of the new or improveddice box, as above explained, with a motor in general for operating thesame automatically as Well as with a coin controlled motor, and alsogenerally to a coin controlled dice box of the said new or improveddescription.

The invention also contemplates certain special constructions of thedice box and the coin controlled motor. Thus the dice box practicallyemployed consists of one or more cups mounted to turn about a transverseaxis which is arranged horizontally, and the dice receiving andreturning tray is hinged to the cups on a parallel axis so as to becarried around with the cups and to be applied and removed from themouth of said cups bythe turning of the same. This turning mighttakeplace'back and forth, like a vibration or oscillation, but preferablytakes place in one direction as a complete rotation; preferably also theaforesaid tray is balanced on its hinge so as to hang horizontally ornearly so when the cup is in such position that said tray is free toplace itself under the influence of gravity.

The invention also comprises certain additional features which can mostconveniently be described in connection with the accompanying drawings,which form part of this specification.

Figure I is a front elevation of an automatic coin controlled dice boxconstructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. Il is a ver* ticalsection of the same; Fig. III is a plan view with the top of theinstrument case and its glass front removed; Figs. IV, V, and VI aredetail views, and Fig. VII is a sectional view illustrating theapplication of the coin controlled motor to a vending apparatus.

The case A of the instrument is divided into an upper and a lowercompartment by the shelf B, the upper compartment being provided With aglass front C so that the works therein are visible.

The clockwork or motor D is composed of the motor spring 2, train 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and ily ll.

The arbor l2 which rotates the dice box is connected by the wheel 13with the gear 5 of the train. The end of this arbor l2 is fixed by meansof a set screw 12 in the hub' 14 on the cups E of the dice box, the hub15 on the opposite side of said cups E turning freely upon the journalpin 16 fastened to the case A. The cups E are preferably cast with theirhubs 14 and l5 in one piece of metal. The

set screw l2 enables their position relatively to the driving arbor tobe adjusted, so as to have a greater or less inclination when the saidarbor is arrested as will be hereinafter explained.

The tilting table or dice receiving and returning tray F, which as shownis made dou- IOO ble like the dice box E, is hinged to ears 17 (Figs.IVand V.) on the cups E and is balanced by the counterweight 18 so thatthe table or tray, when free to do so, assumes naturally a horizontal ornearly horizontal position. The tray is made hollow or provided with arim 19 so as to insure the retention of the dice 20 when thrown.Assuming the normal condition to be as shown in Figs. I,II,III and IV,(which it preferably is) the operation at each rotation of the arbor 12in the direction of the arrow,is as followsz-The rotation of the cups Efirst brings their mouths against the tray F as shown in full lines inFig. V, thus inclosing the dice 20. During the next semi-revolution (orthereabout) the cups E are reversed. The tray F being carried in frontof the cups remains against the mouths of said cups. During this timethe dice fall to the bottom of the cups or dice box. As soon, however,as the rotation of the arbor 12, cups E and tray F, has brought thecenter of gravity of said tray beyond the axis of its hinge, gravityturns said tray on its hinge opening it as shown in dotted lines in Fig.V. During the remainder of the revolution of the arbor 12 the tray Fhangs open, and the cups E are returned to their discharging position,as shown in Fig. IV. When the cups have been turned over to a-sufficient angle, the dice 20 roll or slide out of them on to the traywhich holds them so that their faces can be seen.

The clockwork or spring motor D is normall y arrested by means of thelatch G which is supported at its end by and turns loosely upon thecross bar 21 of the clockwork. The end 22 of the latch which engages thefly 1l is so arranged as to be nearer the axis of the latchs motion (orcenter of cross bar 21 as shown) than is that outer edge of the flywing, which is engaged by said latch and consequently when the latch islifted to release the liy it is obliged to impart a retrograde movementto the fly. Owing to the arrangement of the gears, the torsional stresson the iiy is small and not sufficient to resist the lifting of thelatch by the coin or token. The latch is connected by the link 23 withthe arm 24 of a rock shaft 25 provided with arms 26 to be acted upon bythe coins. These arms (of which two are shown, although one wouldsuffice) project each across a zigzag coin passage 27'leading from aslot 28. There are two of these passages and slots shown although onewould suffice. Two have the advantage that either could be used; thus ifone becomes choked so that it cannot be used the other is available foruse. These passages 27 are formed by ribs 29 (Fig. VI) cast on the frontof the plate H, which is held against the plate H on the door A of thecase A. A number of holes 30 are formed in the plate H so that thepassages can be inspected. In both plates H H are holes 31 for receivingthe ends of the arms 26 (see Fig. II). In the plate H are also holes 32,and in the plate H are openings 33, the purpose of which holes andopenings will be explained below. At 34 is a glass plate set in anopening of the door A. The arms 26 are shown as placed each in themiddle of its coin passage 27, so that almost any coin or token whichthe slot 28 will receive will strike said arm; but if desired the saidarms could be forked or otherwise constructed and arranged so as toallow smaller coins to pass without engaging the said arms, as wellunderstood in coin controlled mechanisms.

On the introduction of a proper coin or token into either ofthe slots 28it falls through the passage 27 on to the arm 26 which lies in itspath,- depresses the same and rests thereon holding it depressed. Thisdepression turns the rock shaft 25 and raises the arm 24, link 23 andend 22 of latch G, thus taking the said end 22 out of the path of thefly l1 and releasing the clockwork D which thereupon rotates the dicebox F and tray F. The rotation continues so long as the coin or tokenremains on the arms 26. To effect their release the rock shaft 25 ismounted on a carrier I, which is movable so as to withdraw the arms 26out of the holes 31 and its movements are controlled by a cam oreccentric pin 35 on the disk 3G which is fixed to the arbor 12. Thecarrier as shown is in the form of a lever arm fixed to and dependingfrom the rock shaft 27, which is provided with an arm 38, in the path ofsaid pin A spring 39, which may be an elastic rubber band as shown,extending between the stationary pin 39 and the top of carrier I, tendsto hold the carrier I in the position shown. A projection 40 on thecarrier makes contact with the plate H andlimits the forward motion sothat the ends of the arms 26 will be free and not pressed against theglass which would be apt to make undesirable friction. Vhen thereforethe clockwork D is released, and rotates the dice box, the pin 35 soonacts against the arm 38 to move the carrier I inward and withdraw thearm 26 from under the coin or token which thereupon drops down onto oneof the lingers 41, asshown at 41 in Fig. II. When in this position thecorresponding opening 33 (which is provided for that purpose) enablesthe coin or token to be seen. As soon as the arms 26 are relieved of theweight of the coin or token, the latch G would naturally fall back intothe path of the fly l1 and arrest the clock, the center of gravity beingso arranged that the tendency of the latch when free is to settle backinto the position of arrest. To prevent a premature stoppage the latch Ghas an arm 42 which projects over the disk 36 and is so arranged thatwhen it rests on the periphery of said disk it holds up the latch G, outof engager ment with the fly. At a suitable point on the periphery is anotch 42 which allows the arm 42 and latch G to fall when it passesunder said arm 42. The fingers 4l project through the holes 32 (whichare provided to receive them) and are formed on a carrier K which isshown in the form of a lever arm depending from the rock shaft 43 whichis actuated in the direction to withdraw the fingers 4l by means of thecam or eccentric pin 44 on disk 36 acting against the arm 45 of saidrock shaft and in the direction to return said fingers by means of thespring 46.

In order to make the latch and its actuating parts 23, 24, 25, 26, and42 as lightas possible they are formed of wire or wire and thin sheetmetal. Tbeobject of making them light is to diminish their inertia, sothat if the case A be jarred their momentum will be insufficient to liftthe latch clear of the fly ll against the pressure of said fly, and thegravity of the latch and its said actuating parts, which as beforestated tends to retain the latch in or bring it into the position ofarrest. Should the latch be lifted partially by a jar the fly and thegravity of the latch will return it to its lowermost position.

In order to enable the center and force of gravity of the latch to beadj usted with greater facility the rock shaft 25 is provided with acounterbalance arm 47 which is loaded with sufficient solder or othersoft metal, to create an excess of Weight on that side and which is thenclipped off until just the right adjustment of weight is secured.

In order that the clockwork may not operate unless the arms 26 are helddown for some time, the notch 42 in disk 36 is preferably made longer(as shown) so that the said disk will have to turn through aconsiderable angle before it supports the latch G out of the path of thefly l1. Owing to the zigzag character of the coin passages anycontinuing pressure of a wire against either of the arms 26 is almostimpossible and if any contact of a wire with such arm shouldaccidentally occur, it probably would release the latch almost as soonas it lifted it, and since the disk 36 would not be in position tosupport the latch, the latter would at once reengage the fly.

Instead of the operation of the dice box by the controlled clockwork, avending appliance or other suitable appliance, such as heretofore usedin coin controlled machinery for various purposes may be moved bythesame.

In Fig. VII, a vending appliance is shown by way of illustration. Itconsists of a cylinder L placed under a hopper M and provided with arecess 50 for receiving one at a time, the articles (cigars, forexample) in the hopper, and arranged when rotated by the clockwork todischarge the article down a spout 5l Which carries it out of the case.

The parts marked with reference characters used in the former figuresare identical With o1' correspond with those similarly marked in saidformer figures.

The operation of the machine or instrument is as follows: The partsbeing in the positions shown in Figs. I, Il, III, IV, (or in the case ofthe vending apparatus in the position shown in Fig. VII) a coinintroduced through one of the slots 28 falls through one of the passages27 on to one of the arms 26 turning the rock shaft 25 and lifting thearm 24 link 23 and latch G, so as to release the fly ll and allow theclock Work D to rotate the dice box E and tray F (or the cylinder L inthe vending apparatus). The rotation of the arbor 12 soon brings the pin44 against the lever-arm 45, turning the rock shaft 43 and withdrawingthe carrier K and lingers 4l, so that if there is any coin in theposition indicated at 41 in Fig. II it drops to the bottom of the case.The pin 44 then retires and the spring 46 returns the carrier K so as tobring the lingers 4l in position for one of them to catch the coin whenit shall be released by the arm 26. After the lingers 4l have beenreturned the pin 35 acts against the lever arm 38 turning the rock shaft27 and withdrawing the carrier I and coin supporting arms 26 so that thecoin drops on to the finger 4l below, where it remains exposed to viewthrough the opening 313 in plate II until the next operation of themachine. Before the pin 35 withdraws the carrier I, the notch 42 in thedisk 36 has passed from under the arm 42 which therefore rests upon theperiphery of said disk and holds up the latch G when the arm 26 isrelieved of the weight of the coin. After the carrier I and arms 26 havebeen returned by the spring 39 and the arbor l2 has completed arevolution, the arm 42 drops into the notch 42 and allows the latch G tofall and engage the ily 1l. During this rotation of the arbor l2 thetray F is applied to the mouth of the dice box or cups E, is carriedaround with the latter so as to dump the dice 2O into said cups, fliesopen while the cups are mouth up and receives the dice again as the cupsare turned mouth down. In the case of the vending apparatus the cylinderL, carries out the cigar and discharges it down the spout 5l and returnsinto position to receive a new cigar.

I claim as my invention or discovery:-

1. An automatic dice box comprisinga tilting table or dicereceiving andreturning tray, and one or more cups which alternately occupy a positionabove and below said table or tray, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a tilting table or dice receiving and returningtray, and a dice box which alternately occupies a position above andbelow said table or tray, of a motor connected with said table or trayand Idice box, for operating the same, substantially as described.

3. A coin controlled automatic dice box, provided with a tilting tableor dice receiving and returning tray and one or more cups which occupypositions alternately above and below said table or tray, and also witha coin controlled mechanism for said box, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a tilting table or dice receiving and returningtray, a dice box which alternately occupies a position above and belowsaid table or tray, and a coin controlled motor connected with said boxand tray, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a dice box, a dice receiving and returning trayprovided with a IIO rim for :retaining the dice, and means whereby saidtray is applied to said box to place the dice therein and isautomatically returned into position to receive them again when thrown,substantially as described.

6. A dice box comprising one or more cups mounted to turn about atransverse horizontal axis, and a tray hinged to the cups on a parallelaxis, substantially as described.

7. The dice box comprising one or more cups mounted to turn about atransverse horizontal axis, and a tray hinged to said cups on a parallelaxis, in combination with a motor, such as a clock work, operating saidcups and tray, substantially as described.

8. The dice box comprising one or more cups mounted to turn about atransverse horizontal axis and a tray hinged to said cups on a parallelaxis, in combination with a coin controlled mechanism, substantially asdescribed. v

9. The dice box comprising one or more cups mounted to turn about atransverse horizontal axis, and a tray hinged to said cups on a parallelaxis, in combination with a coin controlled motor or clockwork foroperating the said cups and tray, substantially as described. y

10. The dice box comprising one or more cups mounted to turn about atransverse horizontal axis and a counterbalanced tray hinged to saidcups on a parallel axis, substantially as described.

11. The dice box comprising one or more cups mounted to turn about atransverse hori- Zontal axis and a countcrbalanced rimmed tray hinged tosaid cups on a parallel axis, substantially as described.

12. The dice box comprising one or more cups mounted to turn about atransverse hori- Zontal axis and a rimmed tray hinged to said cups on aparallel axis, substantially as described.

13. The combination with the clockwork or motor, of the latch, latchreleasing means comprising one or more arms projected across one or morecoin-passages, carrier for said latch releasing means, and means formoving the said carrier, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a coin passage, of latch releasing meanscomprising an arm arranged relatively to said passage so as to be actedupon by the coins or tokens, and a movable carrier for said releasingmeans, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a coin passage formed by and between platesprovided with holes for the reception of the arm to be acted upon by thecoins, of latch releasing means comprising an arm which enter saidholes, a movable carrier for said releasing means, and a stop forlimiting the forward motion ot' said carrier so that the end of said armis left free, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a clockwork or motor, and its latch, of latchreleasing means comprising an arm or arms arranged relatively to one ormore coin passages so as to be acted upon by the coins, a movablecarrier for said releasing means, lcarrier operating means driven bysaid clockwork, and means for temporarily holding up the latch after thecarrier has been drawn back, substantially as described.

17. The combination with the clockwork and its latch, of the twocarriers, the latch 'releasing means on one carrier, the coin supportinglingers on the other, and means for operating said carriers,substantially as described.

18. The combination with the clockwork or motor and its latch, of thetwo carriers, the latch releasing means on one carrier, the coinsupporting fingers on the other carrier, the arm on said latch fortemporarily upholding the same when released by the coin, and thenotched disks and pins moved by said clockwork or motor, substantiallyas described.

19. The plates provided with one or more zigzag coin passages betweenthem, and with an upper and a lower set of holes or openings at thelower part of said plates, in combination with the two carriers, thelatch releasing means on one carrier with arms at the height of theupper set of holes, and the iingers on the other carrier at the heightof the lower set of holes, substantially as described.

20. A coin controlled instrument or apparatus, comprising the clockworkor motor, and the devices driven thereby, in combination with the latchengaging the fly and arranged to impart first a retrograde motion inreleasing the same, the two carriers, the latch releasing means on onecarrier, the coin supporting iingers on the other carrier, and the meansfor upholding the latch when the coin is discharged from said latchreleasing means, substantially as described. l

ln testimony whereo:` I have signed this specification in the presenceof two witnesses.

CLEMENT COLERIDGE CLAWSON.

Vitnesses:

ABRAHAM MANNERs, GEO. Woon.

